Detroit Lions closing in on choosing a return man

AP PhotoMicheal Spurlock remains in the mix to return kicks and punts for the Detroit Lions this season.

ALLEN PARK -- In the days leading up to the Detroit Lions' preseason opener, coach Jim Schwartz said the team would need at least a couple more weeks to narrow down the options to handle kickoff and punt returns.

As the Lions prepare for the third exhibition game, special teams coordinator John Bonamego told MLive.com the team is much closer to making those decisions.

One option was eliminated on Monday, when the team released veteran wide receiver Mike Thomas.

Based on practice patterns, that leaves wide receivers Patrick Edwards and Micheal Spurlock, along with undrafted running back Steven Miller, as the primary candidates for the role. Rookie Theo Riddick is also in the mix, at least on kickoffs.

Bonamego admits it's difficult to evaluate the returners in the preseason, based on limited opportunities, but says there are different things the team is watching.

"You have to be able to have someone back there that's going to make good decisions and be secure with the football," Bonamego said. "You can evaluate those things regardless. We're looking at if they're in the right position, are they secure with the ball, are they making the right decisions back there, how do they carry the ball. It's an ongoing process. It's practice, it's pre-game, it's during the game, it's all those things."

Ball security has been an issue in recent practices. Edwards failed to field two punts cleanly over the weekend and Miller muffed one right into the arms of the gunner Monday.

"That's always a concern," Bonamego said. "We don't want to see that ever. You correct it and you try to get better the next time out."

Edwards, Spurlock and Miller will get another shot to impress Thursday night against the Patriots.